CRESTON, Iowa— Gordon A. Lewis, a long-time pastor of GARBC churches in New York and Pennsylvania, has died. He was 92.
A memorial service was held September 22, 2008, at First Baptist Church, Creston, Iowa.
Gordon Albin Lewis, youngest son of LeRoy and Mable Lewis, was born June 13, 1916 in Athens, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Athens High School in 1934 and from Baptist Bible Seminary, Johnson City, N.Y., in 1938. On August 22, 1939, he married Dorothy Wandell. They were married for nearly 65 years. A month after the wedding, Lewis was ordained to the gospel ministry by Calvary Baptist Church, Chemung, N.Y. God added to their family three daughters: Nancy (Sana) Singh of Poilapool, India; Grace Briggs of Freedom, N.Y., and Judith (Robert) Sauser of Creston, Iowa, who survive their father, along with seven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, two nieces, and one nephew.
Lewis served churches in Cannonsville, N.Y.; Rowley, Mass.; Brooktondale, N.Y.; Cortland N.Y.; Belmont, N.Y.; Vestal, N.Y.; Kingston, Pa.; and Newark Valley, N.Y. In retirement, Lewis served as interim pastor for 18 churches throughout New York State. In 1996 Gordon and Dorothy relocated to Creston, Iowa.
Lewis also served as a trustee on the board of Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, and served several terms as a member of the Council of Ten for the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches. In October 1989, the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches awarded him the “Fellowship’s Faithful” Award for many years of godly service. He was named the BBC&S Alumnus of the Year in 1992.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dorothy, and his son-in-law, Gary Briggs, brother and sister-in-law Miles and Vivian Lewis.
